Method of curving printing-plates and printing-plates curved thereby.



L. W. CLAYBOURN.

1,318,967. Patentml um. 11,1911).

6 SHEETS SIQEH l.

All 7 [1-636 6)? 32/ V "151 6'0 5! J3 J9 m ,3?

fill (26mm: 9 65- T T j-zuenl am L. W CLAYBUURN.

MEN-IUD 0F CURVING PRlNIlNG PLATES AND PRINHNG PLATES CURVE!) THEREBY.APPLICATION HLEIJ FEB. ISHI.

VIA/flames:

L. W. CLAYBOURN. Mambo or CURVING PRINHNG PLANS AND PRINHNG PLATES cunAPPHCATWN FILED FEB. 1.1917. Patented Oct. 14, B SHEETS SHEEI 1 VEDTHEREBY.

VII (II/I115 I'IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII TIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIL. w. CLAYBOURN, NTBNG PLATES AND PRINHNG PLATES GURVED THEREBY.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 1.19M. 1,318,967. Patented O t.14,1919.

6 SHEETS-SHEET B METHOD OF CURVING PB! a? z V l I v m'fnes ii 10 UNITEDSTATES PATENT orr on.

LESLIE w. CLAYBOURN, or CINCINNATI, onto. p p METHOD or CURVINGrmn'rmo-rnnrns AND PRINTING-PLATES oo'nvnn THEREBY;

Application filed February 1, 1917. semi m; human 1 8,967. Specificationof Letters Patent. Pate ted G t; i4,

Tool! whomz't may-concern; W i Printing platejs oftlu clmrecimr usually1 Be it known that I, Lnsmn W. CLAY- comprise what is knownessprinting-shell, BOURN, a citizen of the United States, rebeingusually the electro-deposited metal, siding at Cincinnati, in the countyof Hamilusually copper, de osited on the, metrix'in' 5 ton and State ofOhio, have invented cerelectroplating, and e backing on whichthe 6o tainnew and useful Improvements in Methprinting;shell is supported. It istobeen ods of Gui-ring Printing-Plates and Printder stood, however, thatthe invention is not, lug-Plates Curved Thereby, of which the limited toprinting plates thusi'ormeihut following is a specification. isapplicable to print'ng plates heving'printk 10 My invention relates tothe art of bendin ingesuriaces mgerdless of how' the some are 65printing plates and printing plates curved formed. The same may heformed, for in 1 thereby, andis especially useful for curving Stance, bywhat is usually known as: the stere- A 'a printing plates employed inmulti -color oq iplng process. i printing, in which a plurality ofprinting he lnventlon consists in so curvmgthe plates are employed forprinting difl'erent printing plat-e hy bendm that its printing 70'colors the impressions of which are intended S128 will e mamtained; and,further, jur st) n to register with each other, but is also applicurvinor hendin the printing surfeceu'nd cable to other printin plates. itsbac 'ng that istortioir of the printing The methods heretofore employedin bendlines for printing p 1 p S$-lSi e a ing printing plates have,inpructice, caused e m' lfl C S tfui'tlmr h a g 76 a stretching of theprinting surface, so that F elements p g P t andbfindf r the printingsurface of the bent or curved g 511% W1111e hefltfiid Wltll' fil dthereplate has been of a, dillerent size from its f h g mst p gmoement,wheresize in the fiat, it being understood that the byrearrengement of the material oomposng' 3 printing plates are firstformed flut. When the backing of the Printing plate 1s. efi'ecte 80employing the methods of curving printing further in apply-mg pressureto the cur Ml plates heretofore in general use, the printpr nting plateelements; further, 111' epplylng mg lines of the printing surface weredissaldpressure as a progressively acting pres arranged during thecurving, with the result sure Bflong the line of curvature; and, fun

that the curved printing surface laid out in flier; 111 applylng saldprogressively acting. 5

" plane differed from the said surface when Pr s ure reciprocatmgly. V r5.

n the fiat, the impression of the curved .The invention consistsfurtherin forming; printing surface having the spacings bealprmting' platehaving 'a rinting surf-see tween its printing lines enlarged in the diofa materialhaving a bigger fus ng point ,rection of the bonding withrelation to what and a backing of a material having a. lower they werewhen in the flat. The stretching fiusing point, and subjeetingtheelementsof or diserrengement mentioned of the print-nn aid printingplate to heat: for rendering: ing surface resulted in poor registryoanon said bucking material readily fiowable 1m registry between theprinting lines of the der pressure with relation tothemateri'al of 4%various printin plates, for printing varie the printing surface, andWhile in such conone colors in multi-color printing, and in dition tocornbiiiedl curve the elements of other printing, for instancebook-work. the printingplet'e w "ereby thebecking ma- It is the objectof the invention to avoid. terial is caused to shift with relation tothe these objections. material of the printing surface so as taperk Theprinting plates to which the invenmit thecurving but avoidthestretehingof tion perticularlv relates are curved rinting t e e ml ofthe printingsursfaoeg' further plates arranged to be attached to p ate0311- to apply pressure, whiclrmay be e. progrese lnders in run'ti-oolor printing presses, or for slvely actin pressure,;along the lineofa01rprinting books or other printing employing vatu're, and me he a'reciprocatingpressure v 50 printin plsltes or printingSurfaces origialong the sai fhne. of curvature, to the ,nally onned fiat orsubstantially so and curved elements-of the printing plate! then curvedto correspond substantially to The invention consists further inapplying the curvature of the plate-cylinder to which acooling agencyto'the printing late while the curved plates are arranged to be securedthe pressure is being applied; rthcr,.-;in 55 by suitable means. 1providing said pressure, under presence of a 119 cushion for theprinting surface; further, in

applying said pressure between substem' tially concentrically arrangedelements of non-yielding material, one of which may be a formcorresponding to the intended-curva- Lure of the printingplate; and,further, in applyin said pressure upon an inner mold of rigi materialhaving a pressin surface representing the sector of a cylin or whoseradius is a proximately the same as the radius of t e plate-eylinder onwhich the printing plate is to be employed, so as to form the innersurface of the printing plate concentric to the plate-cylinder; anfurther in applyin pressure to the elements of the printin p ate whilebeing heated in order that eat distribution may be equal throughout thearea of the plate.

The invention consists further in bending the elements of the printinplate simultaneously from both ends of t e printing plate toward itsmiddle.

- The invention consists further in providing1a curved printing whoseprinting surface are maintained in the same relations as when the platewas in the fla further, printing p ate havln a print ng shell and abacking material w ich has yielded to the resistance 'of the printingshell; and, further, in providing a novel curved printing late curvedfrom the flat having the printmg lines of its printing surfacemaintained in their relations with the backing material.

An apparatus is illustrated in the drawings by means of which the methodmay erformed and the printing plate curved, it Being understood,however, that this appa ratus is merely an exem lification of theemployment of the metho Figure 1 represents a side elevation otanexemplified machine emplo ed in carrying out the invention, showin t emold-sections in actuated relation in fu 1 lines for eurvin the printingplate,and showing the mol sections in separated relations in dottedlines.

Fig. 2 is aplan View of the same showing the mold-sections in actuatedrelation.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the same with the mold-sections in se aratedrelations and showing a printin p ate about to be curved.

Fig. 4 is an en fied device partly broken away;

Fi 5 is a cross-section of the device taken on t e line 55 of Fig. 1,partly broken away, with the gage and presser-devices in raisedrelations.

Fig. 6 is a cross-section of the same on the same section-line, partlybroken'away, with the moldrsections; open and the gage andresser-devices in active relation.

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the exemplified device. partly brokenaway, and with the table show it U1 vertical longitudinal secplate thelines of in providing a cuizvedelevation of the exemplitibn, showin thelate bent aboutv the mold and one on of tlie flexible band released fromthe mold and shown partly laid back.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of a printing plate about to be bent.

Fig. ,9 is a longitudinal section of the same taken on-the line 99 of Fi8.

Fig. 1.0 is a. cross-section of t e same taken on the line 10-10 of Fig.8.

Fig. 11 represents a central vertical longitudinal section of the exemlified device, taken on the line 11-11 of Fig. 3, partly broken away,with the mold-sections se arated and a printin plate on the flexi 1eband about to be bon Fig. 12 is a similar view showing the mold-sectionsrolled partway toward each other and equally contacting the respectiveends of the printing plate.

Fig. 13 is, a central longitudinal section of the bent plate as the sameis received oil the bending mold, the backin of the plate being providedwith cross-r1 S.

Fig. 14 is a similar section of the printing plate, when trimmed.

Fig. wigs-e backing is provided with longitudinal r1 a I Fig. 16 is across-section of an exemplified device for shaving the inner face of thecurved printing plate.

Fig. 17 is a cross-section of an exemplified vice for trimming pfl thebearer portions of the curved plate.

Fig. 18 is a cross-section of an'exemplified device for trimming theends of the curved 15 1s a cross-section of the "bent plate printingplate after the same has its bearer 7 portions removed.

Fig. 19 is a plan view, partly broken away, of a modified form ofprinting plate formed w1th a printing layer, a backing layer, and anintermediate binder layer.

Fig. 20 is a longitudinal section similar to Fig. 12 but showing thelayers of the inedified form of printni plate; and,

Fig.- 21 is an en view of the modified form of printin plate showing thela ers united and the p ate curved and trimme An exemplified fiat plateis she 1; at

the margin portions 0 the surface contacts in the fnrmation of theprinting plate, for protecting the printing surfaee.

new Zstanced may be employed a If desired, the rear face of the backingof the printing plate may be provided with recurrent depressions 29exemplified in Fig. 13 as grooves forming ribs extending crosswise ofthe curvature of the plate, and in Fig. 15 as grooves forming ribsextending lengthwise of the curvature of the printing plate.

The printil'ig shell is, in practice. formed of'electro deposited metal,usually copper, deposited on the matrix in eleetro plating, although itis within the. purpose andseope of my invention that the printingsurface may be formed by other means, either on a printing shell or onthe printing plate in its 1 entirety. I

When a printing shell is employed It IS provided with a backing forsupporting the same. In employing the invention this backingispreferablyof a material having i alower fusing point than the fusing; point oftheiprinting shell, in order that the printing plateelements may besubjected to heat to render the backing readily fiowahle under pressurewith relation to the printing As an exen'iplification but not as alimitation, it may he stated that the fusing point of the printing shellwhen of copper may be exemplified as a proximately 1900 degreesFahrenheit. lhe backing material may be a. mixture of lead, tin andantimony, in the proportion of ninety pounds of lead to five poundseach, of tin and antimony, the

fusing point of the mixture being approkimately 600' degrees Fahrenheit.

The printing plat-e elements are subjected to heat of such degree andthroughout such period of time as will effect a spongy condition ofthe'baeking material, that is, a heat condition in the backing material,which is near its point of fusion and may, for ex-- ample, he instancedas a temperature of i300 degrees Fahrenheit, to which the print ng plateelements have been. raised for a period of five to seven minutes.Another example of the desired. condition of the backing material ma beinstanced as a. condition to render the editing material vsusee tible toindentation by the edge of a woo on block pressed thereon by the hand.Any or all of If these conditions may be present as indicating .thedesired state of the backing material when heated and for rendering thesame preferably pliable for the curving operation. 561.? Other backingmaterials than that ,infor instance, gotta pore-he or other material,which is rendered pliable or bendable under heat and 1S till upon bein.cooled. The condition of oe t ematerial desired will be one whereb the.1 31 l miting: material is permitted to reedilyflow under pressure withrelation to the printing anon, so as to cause the movingor shifting aetibetween the material of the backing Hand '1; printing shell to takeplace in the backing when curving the printing plate elements in orderthat i when curved, will have its size the printing surface, maintained.Or, differently expressed, in order that the curved printing surfacelaid out in plane, as exemplified for instance by the reverse of theii'npression on a sheet printed thereby, will he the same as saidprinting surface prior to curvature.

For ,accon'iplishing these objects the curving of the elements of theprinting plate is effected by a progressive curving movement actingprogressively equi-distantly to both sides ofihe median line of theplate, exemplified in the present instance as a simultaneous contact orend pressure upon both ends of the printing plate and a progressivecurvingniovement upon the printing plate toward its middle.

Referring now to the exemplified device employed in performing theimproved method, means are exemplified for uniformly heatingthe elementsof the printing plate lhrougghout. the elements of the printing platebeing preferably heated while under pressure so as to cause uniformtransference of the heat from the heating medium to the printing plate.

31 represents a table. This table is arranged to be'heated uniformlythroughout, as by partially immersing the same in a bath 32 in a meltingpot 33, suitable means being provided for heating the pot, shown as gasburners 34, formed for instance of perforated pipes under the pot fedfrom a suitable source of supply and controlled by valves 35 discharginginto gas and air mixers 36 for regulating the temperature applied to themelting pot.

The table is exemplified as supported in the pot on suitable blocks 37suitably secured with relation to the frame of the machine, forpositioning the table.

The hath 32 is preferably of a material having a fusing point somewhatsimilar to the fusing point of the backin Y material of the printingplate, and is rendered fluid by the heat to which the melting pot issubjected.

In the present exemplification the heat is transmitted to the elementsof the priiit'ng plate through the flexible band 41, here naftermentioned, which may, for example, be a band of cold rolled steel, and aeushioning layer 42' between the elements of the printing plate and theflexible band, which cushioning layer may be a sheet of paper. Theprinting plate elements are laid in a side down relation upon the jflexible ban the printing surface being presented to the cushioninglayeri when such cushioning layer is employed.

The frame of the machine is at 43 comprising a pedestal 44. The frame isshown as including. themelting pot.

exemplified mold is employed about which the pl hinges It is theintention to curve the printing plates on an arc of a cylinder toconform to the usual plate cylinders to which the curved printing platesare arranged to be attached y suitab e locking means, for instance suchas shown and described in Letters Patent No. 1,007,163, dated October31, 1911-, for improvements in printers registering device. 1 1 i In thepresent exemplification a plui iepart ate elements are curved, theprintirf plate elements being located between the exible band 41 andsaid ,mold while subjecting the same to the bending or curv' getzlperation. The mold-sections are exemphfi at 456, 47.

The ends of the band are exegplified'as articulated by hinges 49,150,opposite ones of the mold-sections, at least one'of the beingreleasable, as b releasing the pintles 51 from the straps o the bin esre-. spectively on the mold-sections and exible band.

I enablin a slight finishing insures that thedistance 14:9, ismaintained, Proper ment between with gear-segments 54,

sections-the p 'mold sections and thebwrers 60 at the re- Themold-sections are provided with "are faces 52, which, when themoldsections are brought together, are continuations of one anot or forformin a composite mold hav." ing a bending face ormed as a sector ofthe cy inder having a radius approximatel the len h of the radius of theplate cylin, or to which the printin plate is arranged to be secured,preferab y making allowance for out to be taken as oft e rear face ofthe. backing of the printing plate.

The curving of the printing plate is effected pro lines ively along thecurvature in with the axis of the curvature uiistantl from the'medianline of the. p ate. paralle with said axis. Excess pressure upon the.plate perpendicular to its printing surface is also preferably avoided.In the exemplification these objwts are accomplished by providing themold-Sections 'at'the respective ends 05. the mold-sections, whichsegments mesh withtoothed racks 56 on the machine frame, so that whenthe mold sections are moved toward and immune another their parallel isis maintained. This construction also between the hinges relativemovethe flexibleband and the moldsections with relation to each otherand the length of thefiexible band, and pro r spacing betweentheflexible band an the arc icons ,of the mold-sections are. also tained,this latter s acing'bei-n preferably a proxhhhtely the t of e printing pate, plus'the cushioni layerAQ, when the cush'onmg layer is amp eyed.

Bearers 59 60 are provided-for the molda-rers I159 shown on tje,

aral el spective edges of the tablc, the b'earershavma' ning the purposeof insuring a proper space for the printing plate between the arc facesof the mold-sections and the flexible band.

Rests 62 are rovided on the frame, upon which the mol -secti0ns restwhen in separated relations or when moved to the limit of one of theirdirections of movement.

In order to maintain the mold-sections in proper relative pos'tions whenconnected, pins 64 on the respective mold-sections are arranged to bereceived in holes 66, on the opposite mold-section. A latch 68 on one othe mold-sections, is arranged to be received by a .catch 6-9 on theother mold:

section for holding the mold-sections in connected relation when brou httogether;

In performing the met the printing plate elements are preferablysubjected to pressure durin application of means provide to bear theplate upon the heat-transmitting part in order to insure uniformdistribution of heat throughout the printing elements. Means foraccomplishing this are exemplified as comprising presserfeet 7 0adjustable on bearings 71 lengthwise of arms 72 and held in ad ustedositions by set-screws 73. The armsare shi able on their bearings 74-lengthwis oi a rod 75 supported in brackets 76 extending from the frameof the machine. The arms and resser-feet are so ositioned as to restupon the rear faces of the heaters 25, 26, of the printing plateelements when pressing the latter. The arms are by means '0 latches 77arranged to engage a holding bar 78 on the frame.

When a plate of large area is operated on, it is advisable to provideadditional press'er elements, acting upon the lines of the bearers 25,26. Such additional presser elements are preferably of tar area than thepresser feet 70 in order to contact a greater area of the backin of theprinting plate elements o limit in entation by the same when the cachingis inheatedcondition. These latter resser means may, for instance, bePresser oes 80 on bearings 81 adjustable on an arm 82 and heldinadjusted positions on the arm by set-screws 83, the arm beingadjnstable'on its bearing 8 1 lengthwise of the held in down positionthe backing within old" bar 78.

Uni moi-transmission of, heat throng table and flexible band to theprinting plate. elements is thus insured. en the 'rihting plate elementsare in iproper h '1, j ,dition, the latches 77, 8 are re the armslg, B2,movedoutof r inold-sectionsprior to operatihnoft sections for curvingthe plate, as b winging the ame u wardly fromthe' 'la' their bear ngs 4,84. The arms lg, 82,;taay

be counterweighted on the rodj'fll bymgihns of counter-weights, 89

h the,"

vThe printin plate is desirably so posibent, (see Fi 12), the curvingaction taktioned with re ation to the bending elements ing place in inesparallel with the median that contact between the bending elements lineof the plate, so that the printing lines and the respective ed es of theprinting plate will be in correct relation with the curve.- will'besimultaneously efi'eeted along lines tureof the, late.

parallel to the axis ofcurvature of-the print When ro ing over *themold-sections for mg late when curred, which axis is either bending theprinting plate, the bending band par lel with or perpendicular to theup- WillhllVe a tendency to remain flat upon the right position of theprinting lines, indisupporting surface of the table and to bend locatedat 88, on the printin plate, so that on the are of a circle as the endsof the 75 when the curved printin p ate is arranged mold-sections, towhich the ends of the band upon. the'plate-cylinder o. the printingpress, are secured, are raised from the table, theree r ht upon the bgforming a space of uniform depth the printing face will be up 1 printedsheet. For aceomp isughout the bearing surface of the mold mg this the t15 said edges, representing the top and bottom between saidbearing'surface and the band so of the printing plate have also beentrimmed thereof are preferably edgesSfi of the printing plate have beenin which, the printing platebeing form's trimmedparalle] with each otherand with is located. a

the axis of'the plate, and the side edges 86 In bending the printinglate, the ends held against rela- I perpendicular to the edges 85. twoseparating movement and the bending 85 92 beingadjustable laterally and'wingable 96 whichcoineides with theimedian .lineof e8 in Flg. 1.

" the mold-section s. It wi In order to position the printing plate,accomplished while so held by the movegages 91 are rovided, the gagesbein adment of said ends toward each other by a Justable lengt wise ofarms 92 and he d in curving, movement of the intermediate poradjustedpositions by set-screws 93, the arms tions of the plate.

' This is accomplished in the present exon their bearings 94 on the rod75, to move emplification by a rolling movement ofthe them out of :angeof the mold-seething dun mo d-sections upon the printing plate,

'ing the bendin operation. The arms are whereby the first contactbetween said mold counterweighte by counterweights 99 forv sectionsandtheprinting plate is'inade pref- 30 raising the same, and withlatches 97 for erably simultaneously with the op site eoacting with 'thebar 78 for holding the ends'oftheprinting plate, as exemph ed by fsamein down position. p .a' comparison of Figs. 1 1 and 12, such con- Thearms 92 are arrangedto be depressed tact with said ends pinching saidends be by means of a handle 95 and are operable tween the mold-sectionsand the flexible e5 independently of the arms 72, 32.. band suflicientlytomaintain the ends of the 100 Inpositioning the plate, the late is laidplate at its printing surface against sepa face down on the band and thearms 92 ration, the movement ofthe mold-sections brought downwardly and.latched so as to toward each other continuing until the flexiplace the aes 91 above the band. The ble bend and the rinting plate elements 40side edge 0 t e plate is then guided against thereon are curve about anduponthe t e ages, whe ebythe aid of. the} late, 'mold sections, theinnerfaces of the moldeuryed, is" bmught 'intof pam} sections meeting and-themold-sections be- "axes of; the mold-sections. vThe together by thelatch 68 for back of tlie plate is' providedkwith a. mark a unitary moldfor nstance as g p v 'l his movement of the plate. The bandisprovidedlwitlia centhe 1n I-sections to curve the printing tering mark98 with which the. narktfl plate lpreferabl a uniform and a com-J isbrought into registry for placingthe ends para vely rapid ovement.

i of the lateeq'uh' istantly from the ends of Upon the curving oftheprlntin platfe 50 themolil-sections. s

The plate is positioned as stated, whereupon theipressermeans describedare brought curvature, w is pressure sprefera l a to bear upon theplate. Thereupon the 4 r f a'ting pressure and is lnstan as 91 areraised releasin the latches" 9'71; 1a 1111 p 117c muomplls d b Polling55' The late is sub ected to t heat as'hereinarid I y r beforedescribed." When the plate ,or plate upon-the .table, whereby theprinting late,

elements have been properly heated," the yi'svrolled' between theflexible and an the latchesf'i, 8, are released forraisi the mold-sections to insure a uniform eon a arms 72, 82, outof ranfebdf the paof formity of'the inner face of the printing;

te toa plro' ive pressure alon' the e -now' apparent plate with thelfllrvatul'e @f, the 111015, th thatwjhen the mold-sectionsare moved tocurvature being preferably a curvature a l)- ward each other, the.rnold-sections being proximatingthe curvature of the late cy subjectedto equal movement, that equal end inder upon which the printing p siteIs to pressure or contact will be made simuh be secured, allowingpreferably for a slight 66 t'ane'ously' wi h both ends of the platebeing shaving to be taken oif oi the lunar face of 30 accomplished, itIS prefera'b y sub- 1i5 J forth of the united mo d-sectious 120theprinting plate to remove any irreguthe plate are per ndicular to itsprinting larities of surface which may be present face. When the ate hasbeen curved, those due, for instance, to the heating and bendends areparalle with the coincident radii ing of the backing. The bearers 59,60, preof the sector of the cylinder formed by the 5 vent excesspressure upon the printing plate. plate. (See Figs. 7 and 13. 70Theinitial pressure of tlie mold-sections The depressions 29 areexemplified as upon the plate is preferably borne by the grooves forforming ribs 111. They may be end bearers 25 on t e printing plate.formed in the backing rior to curvature in If desired the printing platemay be subany desired manner, eit or while the backing 10 jected to acooling agency during the curvis bein iiiade, or by cuttin the same into75 .ing operation or during the progressive the bee ing after being mae. pressure operation thereon, or during both A sli ht shaving may, ifdesired, be taken said 0 erations. When the printing plate off the innerface of the printing plate after is sub acted to the cooling agencyduring curvature, which may be accom l shed by,

'15 the curving operation, the cooling agency laying the curved plate inasuitab e machine so preferably acts upon the printing plate in a tree11 115, with the printing face of rogressively with the curringoperation so the curve (plate resented to the wall of the as to rapidlychill or set the material of the trough an wit one edge of the platebacking element of the printing plate as against the lo 'tudinallyextending stop the same is being curved. 116 and passing a rotary facingcutter 117 'The cooling agency is exemplified as a len hwise of andparallel to its axis of robody 101 of fluid, for instance, water, intation and to the axis of the plate across the each of themold-sections, which are formed inner face of the curved plate. hollowfor the purpose, the water being fed When the curving of the plate hasbeen 25 into the mold-sections by inlet pipes 10% accomplished, thebearers 25,26, are trimmed received from the mold-sections by outletfrom the late, for instance in the line of the pipes 103, theserespective pipes communigrooves 2 28 between said bearers and the catinwith flexible p pes 101, 105, of deprinting surface, which may beaccomsirao e length and positioned to permit the plished by passing thesame over a table 120 80 proper rolling ofthe moldv tions. Valves alonga trimmin saw 121. 106' may be employed to regulate the flow The edge oft e late is then provided of the water and to regulate thetemperawith asuitable attadhing face for ture of the same i the mold-sections. theplate to'the plate-cylinder, accomplis In the present exemplification ofthe manually or by machine, as for instance by 8 method, the heated backng element is in means of passing the same on a table 125 compressiblecondition, being for instance along the gage 126 and past a cutter 127for spon dueto the heat application, that is, sha mg the edge of theplate, for instance, readi y fiowable under pressure with relaofevelforin, as shown at 128 when it is tion to the printing shell. Theprinting desired to attach the plate to the plate-cyl- 4 shell duringthe curvin operation retains inder by means of the fastening means itsdimensions, so that t e printing surface shown and described in LettersPatent No. of the completed curved printin plate is 1,007,163,aforesaid. the same as the printing surface ore the The invention is, inFigs. 19, 20 and 21, curving. The spacings between printing shownapplied to super osed plate elements 45 lines are maintained, so that aprinted im'-,- comprising a printing ayer 131, a backing ression takenfrom the plate after being layer 132 and an intermediate binder layercurved is the same as a printed impression 133, the binder layer beingarranged to bin taken from the printing surface when in the printinlayer and backing layer-t0- the flat, or differently e ressed, theprintgether by t e action of the heat and pres- 5 ing'surface of thecurve plate laid out in sure. This binder layer may bea layer, for

has is of the same dimensions as" the print instance of tinfoil, whi'h'has a fusing point in surface when fiat. A stretching of the lessthan the fusing. point of either the nnting surface during curving isavoided. priii'ting layer orthe backing layer, or-the a material of thebacking accommodates inder ayes-may he of other substance have 55 itselftethe curvature, the molecules thereof inga fusing point less than thefusing oint undergoing rearrangemen due to the charor the material ofwhich the backing ayer actor of heating andcurving action in the is com7 resent exemp ification, resultifi in a As an exam is, it may beinstanced that curved printing plate in which e metal the printin ell isof copper, as 1161311156 to is not buckled or strained, so that theinner fore descri d, the depressions in the rear y me oi the curvedprinting piii'te lies snugly face of which ..re filled by a backingmatethroughpnt its pres. against the periphery rial composed of amixture of lead tin and of the late cyl nder, withouthollow spotsantimony as hereinbefore described for forming the printing layer 131.The hackto Fig. the ends of ing layer 132 may be composed of a mintureoilead, tin and "antimony as hereinbcforo described, and theintermediate binder layer ma he a fusible alloy composed of lead, tinand bismuth in the proportion of one pound of lead to three-quarters ofa pound of tin and one and one-half poundsof bismuth, the alloy meltingat approximately 212 degrees Fahrenheit. If the backing material iscomosed of gutta percha or other material, the inder la or may becomposed of a suitable material avin relative properties as hereinbeforedescri d. i

The to and bottom edges 185 of said layers andt e side edges 186 of saidlayers are trimmed on lines perpendicular to each other, respectivelyparallel with and perpendicular to the printing lines, so that saidlayers shall be curved wlth the axis of ourvature parallel with orperpendicular to the printing lines, as ma be desired.

When employing t to invention in connection with a printing platecomprising a fnsible binder layer, the steps of the method are conductedsimilarly to the steps of the method when employing a plate com )risingat printin shell and a backing fixed t iereto, as hereinlieforedescribed, care being taken that the binder la or shall have becomemelted prior'to the ments. r p

After the superposed layers are placed on the steel blanket and heat'applied thereto, the point of fusion of the intermediate fusing ay r iswatched and as soon as the fusing layer breaks down or melts and thebacking layer becomes s ongy, the mold-sections arefolled from boti endsupon said layers and brought together and latched at their so aratedends, and then rolled; upon the ta lel v .The proximate faces of theprinting layer and backing layer, when these faces are c0mposed ofmetal, are preferably providedwith an acid coating consisting ofmuriatic acid, in order to aid fusion of the binder layer and unison ofthe printing layer andbaclo ing layer.

the rinting plate thus formed has its inner ce shaved. its bearersremoved and itsends provided with securing. faces, similius to tlnrsteps described in. connection with Figs. 16,17 and 18, and it may alsobe provided with cross-depressions,similar to the cross-dc ressionsshown in Fig. 13 or with longituc inn] depressions similar to theiongitudinal depressions shown in Fig. 15.

The machine, printing plate, and melting means, herein shown anddescribed, are not herein claimed, the same being shown, de scribed fandelaimed in co ending applioa tions,respectively Serial lib. 153,731,filed March, 9,1917, ,Serial No. 153,732, filed March 9, 1917, andSerialNo. 153,733, filed March9, 1917. v Having thus fully describedmyinvenending of the plate elem tion, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is:

1. The herein described curved printing plate having a printing shelland a'backing of material having a lower fusing point than the fusingpoint of the material of said shell and bent with said bucking at theinside while the temperature of said backing is near its fusing point.

2. The method of curvin r a printing plate which consists in heating tto printing plate, bending the printing plate while in heated state withits ends held against separating movement, and applying pressure to saidbent printing plate.

3. The method of curving a printing plate which consists in heating theprinting plate, bending the printing plate while heated with its endsheld against separating movement, and applying progressively actingpressure to said bent plate along its line of curva ture.

IL The method of curring a printing plate comprising a printing sin-faceand a back 'ing material. which consists in heating said printingsurface and backing material to a point near th .fusing point of saidback ing materiall and combincdly bending, said printing surface andhacking material while so heated.

5. The method of curving a printing late coniprising a printing surfaceand a acking maini'ial, which consists in heating said printing surfaceand backing material to a point nearthe fusing point of said backingmaterial and combinedly bending said printing surface and backingmaterial While so heated with the ends of said backing material heldagainst separating movement.

with the ends of said backing materiallield a ainst separating movement,and thenapp ying pressure to said curved plate along its line ofcurvature.

7. The methodot curving a printing plate comprising a printing surfaceand a backin material, whlch consists in heating said printing surfaceand backing material to a point near the using point of said backingmaterial, eombmedly bending said printing surface nndsbaeking materialwhile so heated with the ends of said backing material held againstseparating movement, and then ap plying progressively acting pressure tosaid curved'plate along its line of curvature.

S. The method of curvin -aprintinlg plate comprising a printing shelland a backing having respectively a higher fusing point and alowerfusing point, which consists in heating said shell and backin to renderhinedly 'bending said printing shell and hacking into curved form.

9. The method of curving a printing late comprising a printing shell anda ban ing, which consists in heating said shell and backing to rendersaid backing readily flowative to said printing surface, combinedlybending said Printing surface and backing lnto curved orm betweenconcentric surfaces one of which is rigid, and subjecting to rendersaid- '10 able under pressure relative to said printing one of saidsurfaces to pro essively acting shell then combinedly bending saidprintpressure reciprocatingly a ong its line of ing shell and backinginto curved form, curvature. then applying pressure to said curved shell16. The method of curving a printin and backing, plate 'comprisin aprinting surface and 15 10. The method of curving a rinting abackin g,whic consists in heating said late comprising a printing shell anabackprinting surface and backing to render said mg which'consists inheating said shelland aching readily fl'owable under pressurerelaloaclring to render, said hacking readily flowtive to said printingsurface, cornbixtedly able under ressure relative-to said print bendingsaid rintin surface and backing 2o ing shell, t en cQmlb-inedly bendinsaid into curved or-m ween concentric surprlflting shell and hackinginto curv for-ni faces one of which is rigid and' the other of andjhenapplying progressively which is cushioned with relation to said sure tosaid curved shell and backing song 'nting surface, and subjecting one ofsaid their lines. of curvature. surfaces to. rogressivel acting pressurere- 11. The method of curvin a tinting ciprocating y a on its ine ofcurvature. I plate com risingaprinting she 'I and aback- 17. The methoof curvi a printin mg, whi consists'in heating saidshell and plate whlchconsists m an ectmg sai backing to render said backing readily flowprmtmg plate to a heating cy presented able under pressure relative tosaid printto the rintrn surface 0 said rmting ing shell 'and combinedlybending said plate while sal printing plate is'un er resprmting ellandhacking into curve form sure b pressures acting toward the ack whilesubjecting the surface of said backing face 0 said printing plate forpressing'said distanced from sai shell to the action of a printingsurface toward said heating agency. a ency, and bending said printingplate at 5 method of curving a rinting w ile in heated state mto curved:forrn. risingaprinting shell an aback- 18. The method of curving .aprinting mgwhic consistsin heating said shell and late which consists insubjecting sald printto render backing readily, flowmg plate to aheating agency presen able under pressure relative to said printin theprinted surface of said printing plate 40 shell comhinedly bending saidprinting shel while said printi plate is under pressure and hug intocurved form, and applying by pressure town the back face of said pressumand the action of a cooling agency printing plate for pressing saidrinting to said curved printing shell and backing. surface toward saidheating agencyjhendin 13. The method of curving a printingsaidprintinglplate while eated into curve I plate com risingaprintingshellfandabackform, and t on applying pressure to said mg whi consistsin heating said rinting curved late. she and backing to render said king19. T a method of curving a printing readily flowable under pressurerelative to late which consists in suh ectingsald printsaid rintin shellcombinedly bendingsaid mg plate to a heating, agency while said printingshe l and asking into curved orm, ranting plate is under pressureforpressand applying progressively acting res'sure mg the same toward saidheatin a cy, to said curved sh 11 and backing aong its bending saidprintin plate 'Whi c eated line of curvature while subjecting the sameinto curved form, an then applying proto the action of a cooling agency;ressivel acting ressure to said curved 14; The method of curving a(printing plate rec procating y along its line of curvaplatecomprisingaprinting shell an aback 'ture. 7. mg which consists inheating said shell and" 20. The method of curving a print ng backing torender said backing readilyflowplate, which cons1sts 1n heating andprintableunder pressure relative to said printin mg plate bending saidranting plate while shell, comhmedly-bending said printing sh heated wth its ends hel against separating and hacking into curved formsubjecting movemlmtga "i'ciling said printin plate said hackingto theaction 0 a cooling between a form curved alon the ine of agency, andapplying progressively acting the desired/curvature forsai plate and aressure to said curved shell and backing platen. v reciprocating-1yalong its line of curvature. 21. The of a printing movement and 24. Themethod printing surface names? plate, which consists in heating saidprintmg plate, bending said printing plate while heated with its endsheld against separating movement and rolling said printing plate betweena form curved along the line of the desired curvature for said plate anda platen while said printing plate is held to said. form by'a relativelynon-compressible sheet.

22. The method of curving a printing plate, which consists in heatingsaid printing plate, bending said printing plate while heated with itsends held against-separating rolling said printing plate between a formcurved along the line of the desired curvature for said plate and aplaten while said printing plate is held to said form by a relativelynon-compressible sheet cushioned upon the printing surface of saidprintin plate. F V

23. he method of curving a printing plate comprising a printing shelland a acking which consists in heating said shell and backing to rendersaid backing readily flowable under pressure relative to said shell,combinedly bending said printing shell and hacking into curved formbetween an outer flexible band and an inner mold, and appl. ing pressureto said printing shell and bac ing while located between said flexibleband and mold.

of curving a printing plate comprising a printing shell and a I acking,which consists in heating said shell and backing to render said backingreadily flowable under ressure relative to said shell, combinedly endingsaid printing shell and backing intd curved form between an outerflexible band and an inner mold, applying pressure to said printingshell and acking while located between said flexible band and mold, andsubjecting said combined printing shell and backing to iccipro; catingrolling pressure while between said flexible band and said mold.

25. The method of curving a I rinting plate comprising a printing shelland a backmg, which consists in heatlng said shell'and backing to rendersaid backing readily flowa-ble under pressure relative to said printingshell, combinedly bendin said rinting shell and backing into curve formetween a fiexibleband cushioned ainst the printing surface of saidprinting shell and a mold, and ap lyin rolling pressure to said rintingshe I an backing through said Eexible band and cushion.

26. The method of curving a printing plate comprising a printing surfaceand a acking material which consists in providing the back face of thebacking material with recurrent depressions, heating said .an rb cki amean a a point near the fusin point of 'said backin material, and cominedly bending sai printing 8 11M and backing rnatcria while so heatedinto the form of a sector or a cylinder, and then shaving the innersurface of V said sector.

27. The method of curving a printing plat-e comprising a printingsurface and a backing material which consists in providing the back faceof the backing material with recurrent depressions, heating saidprinting surface and backing material to a point near the fnsin point ofsaid backing material, and cornblnedly bending said printing surfaceand. ba-cklng material while so heated into the form of a sector of acylinder, shaving the inner surface of said sector, and then providingthe ends of said sector with engagin faces for a securing means.

28. T e method of curvin a printing plate comprising a printin she I anda backmg having edge bearers eyond the ed as of the printing surface ofsaid shell, which consists in heatin said shell and backing to rendersaid bac ing readily flowable an der pressure relative to said printingshell, combinedly bending said printing shell and backing into curvedform, trimmin ofl' said bearers, and then providing the an s of saidcuryed plate with engaging faces for a secunn means.

29. he method of bending a printing plate which consists in ap lyingpressures progressively thereon at POIIltS equi-distant from its medianline.

$0. The method of forming a curved printing plate which consists insuperposing a printing layer, a backing layer and an iniermedi atebinder la er, subjecting said layers to heat, to ben ing force andcooling said layers, in the order 11am 31. The method of forming acurved printing plate which consists in superposing a printing layer, abacking layer, and an intermediate layer heating said layers forrendering said backing layer spongy and fusing said intermediate layer,bendin said layers, and cooling said layers outwa ly.

32. The method of forming a curved printing plate which consistsinsuperposing a printing layer, a backing layer and an intel-mediatebinder layer, heating said layers by heat applied at said printinglayer, bend ing said a are in superposed relation, and cooling sailayers by a cooling agency applied at said backing layer.

33. The method of :fiorming a curved printing plate which consists insuperposing a'printmg la er, a backing layer, and an intermediate hinderlayer, sub ecting said layersto heat for rendering said backing layerspongy and fusing said-intermediate layer, bending said layers insuperposed relation, and coolin said backing layer.

34. The methoi i of printing plate which consists in euperposin'g aprinting layer, a backing layer and an informing a. curved layer and:backing are to heat for rendering said backing layer spongy and fusingsaid intermediate layer, bending said superposed layers about a formWhile said backing layer 18 spongy, a plying pressure throughout thesurface 0 said plate at equal distances from the supporting surface ofsaid form, and chilling the inner surface of said backing layer.

35. The method of forming a curved printing late which consists insuperposin a bending band, a printing layer, a bin erlayerand a backinglayer, subjectin' said bending band to heat for rendering sai back inglayer spongy and fusing said intermediate layer, and bending saidbending band about a form with said printing layer, binder-layer andbacking layer interposed between said bending band and form said formbeing cooler than said bending band.

36. The -method of forming a curved printing plate which consists ofsuperposing a bending band, a printing la er, a binderlayer and abacking-layer, ending said band and said layers about a'form by bend--ing force directed from 0 posit'e end portions of said layers towarc themiddle portion of said layers and about said form, and applying pressurethroughout the area pf said printin layer equidistant from said formthrong out said area.

37. The method of curving printing plates which consists in renderingtheplate bendable by heat and then bending the )late by bending pressureapplied at both cm s of the plate toward its, middle.

38. The method of curving a printing plate, which consists in applyinbendin ressure thereto from both its on s towar its middle portion. v

39. The method of curving a printing plate, which consists in applyingbending strains directed from the end portions of said platetoward itsmiddle portion.

40. The method of curving a printing plate which consists in forming aprinting surface layer, a backin layer, and an interposed binder-layer,sub ecting said layers to eat for rendering the said printing surfacelayer bendable and fusing said binder ayer. applying bending force tosaid layers from both end portions toward their middle portion, applyingrolling pressure to said layers on said forn1,cooling said plate, andtrimming the edge of said plate.

41. The method of curving a printing plate comprising chucking which isa solid when unheated, which consists in transmithaving a fusing pointsimilar to said backing to said printing platethrough an interposedsuppo t. for the whiting plate, bonding the printing plate while hcntminto rum ed form, and then applying prcssuw to the curved late.

42. The method of curring a printing plate comprising a backing which isa solid when unheated, which consists in transmitting the heat of amolten bath of material having a fusing point similar to said backing ofthe rinting plate to the printing plate throng 1 an interposed supportfor the printing plate while the printing plate is under pressure,bendin the printing-plate while heated into curve form, and t enapplying ressure to the curved plate.

43. .he method of curving a rintin plate comprising a printing shell ana mate backing, which consists in applying the heat of a molten bath ofmetal havin a fusing point similar to the metal of said acking to saidprinting shell and backing through an intermediate support whilev saidprintin shell and backing have pressure applied thereto for pressingsaid printing shel and backing" toward said support, and then combinedlybending said printing shell and backin into curved form.

44. he method of curving a rintin plate comprising a printing shell an ame acking, which consists in applying theheat of a. molten bath of metalhaving a fusing point similar to the metal of said backing to saidprinting shell and backing throu h an intermediate su port while said pnti shell and backing have pressure a lie thereto for pressin saidprintin she and backing toward said support, an then combinedly bendingsaid printing shell and back in into curved form about a cooling mold.

E5. The method of curving a rinting plate comprising a printing shell ana metal backing, which consists in applying the heat of a molten bath ofmetal havin a fus ng point similar to the metal of said backing to saidprinting shell and backing through an intermediate support while saidprintiigg shell and backing have pressure a li thereto for pressing saidprinting shell and backing toward said support, combinedly bending saidprinting shell and hacking into urved form, and applying rollin pressureto said curved rintm shell and aclnng.

46. The metliod o curving a printing plate coin rising a printing shelland a netal'bac ring, which consists in applying the heat of a moltenbath of metal having a fusing point similar to the metal of sai backingto said printing shell and backing through an intermediate suppo t whilesai printing shell and backing have pressure applied thereto forpressing said printing shell and backing toward said support, comtingthehv-at of a molten, bath of material bincdly bending said printingshell. and hacking into curved form and applying" T011.

ing pressure to said curved printin' shell and backinguhile said backingis so 'jeeted' layer and a backing ortions toward the middle portion ofthe ate about a form and rolling said bent plate while on said form.

48. The method of curving a printing plate which consists in forming aprintin layer, superposing said layers with an intermediate binderlayer, subjectin said layers to heat and said binder layer to usion,bending saidlayers about a form, causing rolling pressure upon saidplate while about SEtld form, and cooling said plate.

49. The method of curving a printing plate which consists in forming aprinting layer, a backin layer, and an interposed binder layer, sujecting said layers to heat for rendering said printing layer andbackfrom both end 'ing layer bendable and fusing said binder layer, aplying bending force to said layers from bot their end portions towardtheir middle portion, applying rolling pressure to said layers while onsaid form, and cooling said plate.

50. A curved printing plate having a printing shell, and a backing ofmaterial having a lower fusing point than the fusing point of thematerial of said shell and bent while the temperature of said backing isnear its fusing point.

51. A curved printing plate comprising a printing shell, and a backin ofmaterial having a fusing point lower th an the fusing point of thematerial of said shell, and curved while said backing material is atsuch temperature as to cause it to readil yield to the resistance ofsaid printing shelli 52. A curved printing plate comprisi a printingshell, and a acking of material aving a fusing point lower than thefusing point of the material of said shell, the rear face of whichisprovided with recurrent depressions, and curved while said backingmaterial is at such temperature as to cause it to readily ield to theresistance of said printing shell 53. A curved printin plate comprisin aprinting shell, and a' acking of material having a lower fusing 1pointthan the fusin point of the mater-m. of said shell, an curved while saidbacking material is at such temperature as to cause it to readily yieldto the resistance of said printing shell, formaintaining all the partsof the rinting surface of said printlngtshell in the same relations andof the same dimensions as before the curvin thereof.

54. A curve printing plate having a. printing shell and a backm ofmaterial having a lower fusing int t an the fusing point of the material0 said shell, said backmg compressed progressively to ater' extentstoward its rear face while said backing is heated to approximately itsfusing oint to rearrange the molecules of said bac 'ng.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses. v

LESLIE W. CLAYBOURN. Witnesses:

Dawson E. BRADLEY, THERESA M. SILBER.

